Three men stabbed at party advertised on Facebook

Sheriff's investigators say no suspect yet, after huge brawl at remote California home

Three men were stabbed at a house party in Rainbow earlier this month, and investigators have no suspects yet in the case, according to San Diego County Sheriff's detectives.

“All party-goers were gone by the time we arrived,” Sheriff’s Sergeant Patrick Yates reported. “We saw a large number of cars driving in the opposite direction while responding to the call.”

“We believe it was a birthday party,” the sergeant stated.

It was 12:52 a.m., in the early morning minutes of a Sunday, January 6, when deputies got a report that gunshots were heard. Neighbors reported hearing between four to six shots, in the 2600 block of Huffstatler Street, in Rainbow. The rugged community is located at the northern edge of San Diego County.

When deputies responded they did not find any gunshot victims, but apparently three different men received at least two stab wounds each, at the party. Those men were driven to local hospitals in private cars by friends, according to investigators. All three stabbing victims were interviewed, and they reported feeling “pokes” during a crowded fight, but were not able to identify who might have stabbed them, Sheriff’s Detective Dan Laibach said today.

The detective believed a gun was fired into the air trying to break up a huge brawl, which developed after the birthday party grew uncontrollably. The detective said the fight started between two women in front of the home, and then the violence spread into a free-for-all.

“Someone shot rounds into the air to scatter the group,” Det. Laibach said.

The investigation found that an adult male posted a notice on his Facebook page, advertising that he was hosting a bring-your-own-beer birthday party, with the enticements of a firepit and DJ and beer pong. This apparently got a better response than he anticipated, and when two cars full of strangers from Escondido arrived, a confrontation developed.

A bloody knife was recovered in the gravel driveway of the party home, Det. Laibach said.

Detective Dan Laibach said he would like to hear from anyone who has information about the incident. You can phone the detective directly at the Fallbrook station, his number is 760-451-3110. Or the detective said you can remain anonymous by going to the Sheriff’s website, and use their link to San Diego County Crime Stoppers -- where they advertise a $1,000 reward for tips.